New Bedford State Pier proposal makes fishing a destination attraction. What to know.

NEW BEDFORD — One of the seven proposals for New Bedford's State Pier is really a two-fer.

It's a joint proposal from Buyers and Sellers Exchange seafood and New Bedford Fishing Heritage Center.

They say their $15 million proposal will promote economic growth and education, wrapped up in a destination-style attraction.

BASE, the seafood auction house founded in New Bedford in 1994, would off-load the incoming catch at the Pier, and then hold its daily seafood auctions before the scallops and fish are sent on their way to myriad outlets.

All in view of the visiting public.

There will be a seafood market, as well, for folks who want to bring home that night's dinner along with their experience.

There will be a satellite office for the New Bedford Fishing Heritage Center, which will be augmented by the auction space after the morning sales are completed for educational programs, cooking classes and demonstrations.

Cassie Canastra, BASE CEO, and Laura Orleans, founding executive director of New Bedford Fishing Heritage Center, shared their proposal during a public hearing hosted by MassDevelopment in May.

MassDevelopment, the state’s development finance agency and land bank, manages the eight-acre, state-owned property.

A MassDevelopment review committee will consider the proposals and make recommendations on what's best for the Pier's future.

Looking for more space, long-term home

Canastra said the company was founded by her father and uncle. It was originally called the Whaling City Seafood Display Auction.

BASE has been leasing its current space on Hassey Street for the past 30 years, she said, and they need room to expand.

"We're looking for a long-term home," she said.

It would also be state-of-the-art, she said, allowing them to offload more varied species than they can right now.

They are looking for 400 feet along the waterfront to offload the fish, which would give them enough room to offload up to four boats at a time.

The vision, she added, is "to open up the auction and allow the public to come and see what we do."

They get frequent requests for tours and are open to the public now, but they're not set up for it.

See what really happens on waterfront

"We want a state-of-the-art facility that actually allows viewing to take place that doesn't get in the way of what we do on a day-to-day basis — really opening it up to the public. They can learn and see not only the auction but what it's like to unload a fishing vessel, see what really happens on our waterfront," Canastra said.

The seafood market and fishing heritage center would be in the front, facing Route 18.

They will be employing 56 people, she said, potentially more.

An appeal to culinary tourism

Orleans said people are increasingly interested in where their food comes from, and the farming industry has done a better job of providing their story.

The fishing industry is more challenging, she said. Fishing takes place out of sight.

"You might see the big boats but you don't really understand how the product gets from ocean to plate. That's the story we tell, and that's the story we'll be able to tell much more fully located here on the Pier in proximity to the boats themselves and the opportunity to open up the auction," Orleans said.

She added there's a great culinary tourism potential, including cooking classes and demonstrations.

"People are hungry for authentic experiences," she added.

Orleans said they intend to keep their foot in downtown, as well. The Center is located at 38 Bethel St.

"New Bedford is waiting to do this," she said. "It's a huge opportunity."

MassDevelopment has not announced a decision date yet on the seven proposals before it.

It's looking for Pier projects that will "maximize use of this asset, and create a local and regional benefit, provide support to maritime industries, advance economic development, and foster asset utilization that will support a diverse and significant workforce."

This article originally appeared on Standard-Times: New Bedford State Pier project makes fishing a tourist attraction